Elevation change of the Greenland Ice Sheet and its peripheral glaciers: 1992–2023

Abstract

The integration of data from multiple satellite altimetry missions, each offering unique observational characteristics, has enabled us to discern both short-term variability and long-term climate trends affecting Greenland's peripheral glaciers and the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS). Our methodology, informed by lessons learned from analogous efforts in Antarctica and by improved incorporation of external velocity and elevation data to reduce bias in elevation-change estimates, ensures the consistency and reliability of the derived dataset. An additional enhancement of this product is the inclusion of a digital elevation model, which facilitates the analysis of changes in absolute elevation. The dataset covers the years 1992–2023 and is publicly available as part of NASA's Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) Inter-Mission Time Series of Land Ice Velocity and Elevation (ITS_LIVE) project (https://doi.org/10.5067/ICFVI7DKHZJV, Nilsson et al., 2026). Our analysis reveals significant patterns of mass loss across the GrIS. We find that the ice sheet and peripheral glaciers experienced average mass losses of -160 ± 17 and -23 ± 5 Gt a−1, respectively, over the 1992–2023 period, with notable temporal variations. Specifically, the early years of the record exhibit a positive mass balance, likely driven by anomalously positive surface mass balance. However, this trend reverses in later years, with a pronounced increase in mass-loss rates that highlights the accelerating impact of climate change on ice-sheet dynamics and surface mass balance. Moreover, our analysis underscores the importance of considering peripheral glaciers alongside the continental ice sheet when assessing overall mass trends. By incorporating data from peripheral glaciers, we provide a more comprehensive understanding of Greenland's total contributions to global sea-level rise. Our findings reveal not only the magnitude of mass loss but also its evolution through time, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and research to better understand the impacts of climate change on Earth's cryosphere.